Hi my son has a hammer,he got it about 3 days ago and it looks horrendous..its in sleep mode atm but i dont think its healthy at all..Is the normal?

[stewy14]

I will agree with you on the light and six months, but disagree with you on an inexperienced person adding hammer or any hard coral in a three week old build.

I think he meant the light for now, for light acclimation or something? Idk, but I would move it to your tank op, the one that i presume is already fully cycled(6+ months)
I just setup a new tank, i waited a week to get a fish(I do fish in cycles) and another 3-4 weeks to get a goby. I would wait more time for s coral, first should be a zoa or a shroom or something, just so he can get used to reefing if he’s new

 

[SudzFD]

All parameters are normal but it doesn't look healthy

This hammer is done unfortunately. I would leave it alone and hope for the best. The advice you’ve already been given is good. Maybe bring the temp up and slowly lower the alkalinity but I don’t think there’s much hope here.

 

[polyppal]

Cycling and maturity are different. A fish can handle a newly cycled tank, many corals can’t until it’s chemistry has actually matured/stabilized

Op do yourself a huge favor and do not impulse buy livestock. Impatience is the key to failure in reefing.

 

[emjane]

Thanks everyone for the advise..I acclimated it to my tank of 6-8 weeks and it's alive and looking better..I wasn't about to throw in the towel on this beauty.. persistence is key..I had nothing to lose apart from trying

 

[SudzFD]

Definitely looks a ton better! Hope it does alright!!

 

[Sinkers]

Thanks everyone for the advise..I acclimated it to my tank of 6-8 weeks and it's alive and looking better..I wasn't about to throw in the towel on this beauty.. persistence is key..I had nothing to lose apart from trying

Great to see it has pulled through!

 

[VintageReefer]

High Alk and low nutrients isn't ideal. Corals my suffer in the long run even if they look okay now. I would personally bring nutrients up and switch to a lower alk salt around 8-9. It will be more beginner friendly.

Wall hammers can be difficult, a branching one would be a much better choice. This hobby teaches some tough lessons.

This

The alk is on the high side and I would compare the alk number to the alk of the tank from LFS or wherever the hammer came from

How was acclimation done? If it went from alk 8 to alk 12 and was just put in the tank, it could shock the coral. They don’t like big quick alk changes

Also to reiterate above, high alk pairs with higher nutrients. Low nutrients like your levels should have lower alk, like 7.8

I would change salt brands to one that has a lower alk. With your tank and corals there is no reason for 12, that’s for experienced people with acropora dominated tanks

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Thanks everyone for the advise..I acclimated it to my tank of 6-8 weeks and it's alive and looking better..I wasn't about to throw in the towel on this beauty.. persistence is key..I had nothing to lose apart from trying

Wow, it looks much better!

 

[Dburr1014]

I will agree with you on the light and six months, but disagree with you on an inexperienced person adding hammer or any hard coral in a three week old build.

True but a wall hammer?
Many experienced people have troubles keeping them alive.

I didn't see anyone mention the bicolor angel.
Need to also make sure it's not a nipper. Some angels like to eat coral.